ALAWYER whose relationship with Brooklyn Democratic leader Clarence Norman caught the eye of investigators last year is now a candidate to become the next Democratic leader of Westchester.

Sources said Ravi Batra, who was embroiled in the investigation of judicial corruption in Brooklyn, is a contender to replace Westchester Democratic chairman George Latimer in September.

Sources said Batra has to be considered seriously because he’s got the backing of David Alpert, the former Westchester Democratic leader.

“The perception behind the scenes is that [Batra] plays politics on a statewide level,” said one source.

The source said Batra is a proven fund-raiser and would be a logical choice for the job if it weren’t for questions about his role in the Brooklyn political scandal.

“I think it’s going to be a factor,” said the source. “The question is – is it real?”

Batra has for years been a well-known figure in the Brooklyn courts and has served on the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s judicial screening committee.

But for the last 25 years, Batra actually lived in New Rochelle.

Batra and Norman were once so close that the borough leader was “of counsel” to Batra’s firm.

The relationship didn’t escape notice by Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes, who “wired” a corrupt judge last year in an attempt to get Batra to admit that judgeships were for sale in Brooklyn.

Batra didn’t admit anything of the sort and nothing came of the taped conversation. He has adamantly denied any wrongdoing.

He told The Post he’s not pursuing the Westchester post and would support anyone the party selects. But Batra said that if he ends up as the choice, “It would be an honor beyond anyone’s expectations.”

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The city might have to shut some beaches this summer to meet new federal water-safety standards.

But that doesn’t mean hordes of heat-wary residents will be banned from jumping in the soothing surf on summer weekends.

An insider said Health Department officials are planning to take water-quality readings at times designed to insure that beach shutdowns are limited to weekdays, when fewer people head for the shore.